EP1023956A1 - Method of heating and quenching a hollow metal member - Google Patents
Method of heating and quenching a hollow metal member Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1023956A1 EP1023956A1 EP00101769A EP00101769A EP1023956A1 EP 1023956 A1 EP1023956 A1 EP 1023956A1 EP 00101769 A EP00101769 A EP 00101769A EP 00101769 A EP00101769 A EP 00101769A EP 1023956 A1 EP1023956 A1 EP 1023956A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- crank arm
- filament
- placing
- heating
- core
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C21—METALLURGY OF IRON
- C21D—MODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS; GENERAL DEVICES FOR HEAT TREATMENT OF FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METALS OR ALLOYS; MAKING METAL MALLEABLE, e.g. BY DECARBURISATION OR TEMPERING
- C21D9/00—Heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering, adapted for particular articles; Furnaces therefor
- C21D9/08—Heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering, adapted for particular articles; Furnaces therefor for tubular bodies or pipes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D53/00—Making other particular articles
- B21D53/86—Making other particular articles other parts for bicycles or motorcycles
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C21—METALLURGY OF IRON
- C21D—MODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS; GENERAL DEVICES FOR HEAT TREATMENT OF FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METALS OR ALLOYS; MAKING METAL MALLEABLE, e.g. BY DECARBURISATION OR TEMPERING
- C21D9/00—Heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering, adapted for particular articles; Furnaces therefor
- C21D9/0068—Heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering, adapted for particular articles; Furnaces therefor for particular articles not mentioned below
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49002—Electrical device making
- Y10T29/49117—Conductor or circuit manufacturing
- Y10T29/49174—Assembling terminal to elongated conductor
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
- Y10T74/21—Elements
- Y10T74/2164—Cranks and pedals
Definitions
- the present invention is directed to methods of manufacturing metal structures and, more particularly, to a method of heating and quenching a hollow metal member such as a bicycle crank arm during a manufacturing process.
- Bicycle crank arms and other metal structures are often manufactured using a forging process wherein the crank arm is heated and quenched to strengthen the crank arm after a forging step.
- One solution to this problem is to drill a hole on the side of the crank arm body to allow the gas to escape during the heating process. However, this requires an extra machining step, and the hole often allows the quenching liquid to enter the hollow space. The liquid in the space is difficult to remove easily and effectively, and it may cause future corrosion or oxidation. A cap or cover could be placed over the hole before the quenching step, but that would add additional steps, complexity and parts to the manufacturing process.
- the present invention is directed to a method of heating and quenching a hollow metal member such as a bicycle crank arm, wherein an opening may be easily formed to allow gas to escape during heating of the hollow metal member.
- the hole also may be small enough to inhibit liquid entry during a later quenching step.
- a method of manufacturing a metal member includes the steps of forming a metal body having a hollow core, wherein a side of the metal body defines a core opening exposing the hollow core; placing a filament through the core opening into the hollow core; closing the core opening around the filament; and heating the metal body so that the filament disintegrates to form a filament hole sufficient to allow gas within the hollow core to escape through the filament hole.
- this method has particular usefulness when manufacturing a bicycle crank arm. If a filament such as a thin cotton thread is used, then the resulting hole will be large enough to allow gas to escape during the heating process while minimizing or preventing liquid entry during a subsequent quenching step.
- FIG 1 is a cross-sectional diagram of a metal body such as a bicycle crank arm body 10 that is to be heated and/or quenched in a subsequent process step.
- Crank arm body 10 may be formed by cold forging in such a way as to provide a hollow core 14, wherein a side or end 22 of the crank arm body 10 defines a core opening 18 exposing the hollow core 14.
- a filament 30 is placed through the core opening 18 such that filament 30 extends into the hollow core 14.
- Filament 30 may be any thin elongated structure such as a ribbon, wire, elongated cylinder, etc. that substantially disintegrates when exposed to the heat applied during a subsequent process step described below.
- filament 30 is a fibrous thread such as a cotton thread having a diameter of from approximately 0.4 millimeters to approximately 3.0 millimeters, e.g., 1 millimeter.
- crank arm body 10 is placed in a heating vessel 40 and heated to a temperature of from approximately 200°C to approximately 800°C.
- crank arm body 10 is formed from an aluminum alloy, and the crank arm body 10 is heated above 500°C (e.g., 530°C).
- 500°C e.g., 530°C
- Filament 30 should be made from a material that disintegrates (e.g., melts or burns away) sufficiently at the chosen temperature to form a filament hole 44 that allows gas within hollow core 14 to escape through the filament hole 44 during the heating process. This prevents deformation of the crank arm body 10 due to excessive pressure within hollow core 14 during the heating process.
- crank arm body 10 optionally may be placed in a liquid 50 such as water in a quenching tank 54 to perform a conventional quenching step to strengthen the crank arm body 10. If it is known that the quenching step is to be performed, then the diameter of filament 30 should be chosen such that filament hole 44 is sufficiently small given the viscosity of liquid 50 to minimize or prevent liquid 50 from entering hollow core 14.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention is directed to methods of manufacturing metal structures and, more particularly, to a method of heating and quenching a hollow metal member such as a bicycle crank arm during a manufacturing process.
- Bicycle crank arms and other metal structures are often manufactured using a forging process wherein the crank arm is heated and quenched to strengthen the crank arm after a forging step. Problems arise when the heating and quenching steps are performed on hollow crank arms. More specifically, when a crank arm having a fully enclosed hollow space is heated, the air or other gas in the hollow space expands to a high pressure, thus causing deformation of the crank arm. One solution to this problem is to drill a hole on the side of the crank arm body to allow the gas to escape during the heating process. However, this requires an extra machining step, and the hole often allows the quenching liquid to enter the hollow space. The liquid in the space is difficult to remove easily and effectively, and it may cause future corrosion or oxidation. A cap or cover could be placed over the hole before the quenching step, but that would add additional steps, complexity and parts to the manufacturing process.
- The present invention is directed to a method of heating and quenching a hollow metal member such as a bicycle crank arm, wherein an opening may be easily formed to allow gas to escape during heating of the hollow metal member. The hole also may be small enough to inhibit liquid entry during a later quenching step.
- In one embodiment of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a metal member includes the steps of forming a metal body having a hollow core, wherein a side of the metal body defines a core opening exposing the hollow core; placing a filament through the core opening into the hollow core; closing the core opening around the filament; and heating the metal body so that the filament disintegrates to form a filament hole sufficient to allow gas within the hollow core to escape through the filament hole. As noted above, this method has particular usefulness when manufacturing a bicycle crank arm. If a filament such as a thin cotton thread is used, then the resulting hole will be large enough to allow gas to escape during the heating process while minimizing or preventing liquid entry during a subsequent quenching step.
-
- Figure 1 is a cross-sectional diagram of a bicycle crank arm body at an intermediate step of the manufacturing process;
- Figure 2 is a cross-sectional diagram of the bicycle crank arm body with a filament extending through a hollow interior core;
- Figure 3 is a cross-sectional diagram of the bicycle crank arm body showing an end of the crank arm body closed around the filament;
- Figure 4 is a cross-sectional diagram of the bicycle crank arm body during a heating step; and
- Figure 5 is a cross-sectional diagram of the bicycle crank arm body during a quenching step.
-
- Figure 1 is a cross-sectional diagram of a metal body such as a bicycle
crank arm body 10 that is to be heated and/or quenched in a subsequent process step.Crank arm body 10 may be formed by cold forging in such a way as to provide ahollow core 14, wherein a side orend 22 of thecrank arm body 10 defines acore opening 18 exposing thehollow core 14. Thereafter, as shown in Figure 2, afilament 30 is placed through thecore opening 18 such thatfilament 30 extends into thehollow core 14.Filament 30 may be any thin elongated structure such as a ribbon, wire, elongated cylinder, etc. that substantially disintegrates when exposed to the heat applied during a subsequent process step described below. In this embodiment,filament 30 is a fibrous thread such as a cotton thread having a diameter of from approximately 0.4 millimeters to approximately 3.0 millimeters, e.g., 1 millimeter. - As shown in Figure 3, the
end 22 ofcrank arm body 10 is closed aroundfilament 30 by pressing or some other well known method. Thereafter, as shown in Figure 4,crank arm body 10 is placed in aheating vessel 40 and heated to a temperature of from approximately 200°C to approximately 800°C. In this embodiment,crank arm body 10 is formed from an aluminum alloy, and thecrank arm body 10 is heated above 500°C (e.g., 530°C). Of course, the temperature depends upon the type of metal member being fabricated and the material used forfilament 30.Filament 30 should be made from a material that disintegrates (e.g., melts or burns away) sufficiently at the chosen temperature to form afilament hole 44 that allows gas withinhollow core 14 to escape through thefilament hole 44 during the heating process. This prevents deformation of thecrank arm body 10 due to excessive pressure withinhollow core 14 during the heating process. Of course, it is not necessary for thefilament 30 to completely disappear as long as it disintegrates sufficiently to allow the gas to escape during the heating process. - Thereafter, as shown in Figure 5,
crank arm body 10 optionally may be placed in aliquid 50 such as water in aquenching tank 54 to perform a conventional quenching step to strengthen thecrank arm body 10. If it is known that the quenching step is to be performed, then the diameter offilament 30 should be chosen such thatfilament hole 44 is sufficiently small given the viscosity ofliquid 50 to minimize or preventliquid 50 from enteringhollow core 14. - While the above is a description of various embodiments of the present invention, further modifications may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the functions of one step may be performed by two, and vice versa. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in a particular embodiment of the process at the same time. Every feature or step which is unique from the prior art, alone or in combination with other features or steps, also should be considered a separate description of further inventions by the applicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodied by such feature(s). Thus, the scope of the invention should not be limited by the specific structures disclosed or the apparent initial focus on a particular structure or feature.
Claims (14)
- A method of manufacturing a metal member comprising the steps of:forming a metal body (10) having a hollow core (14), wherein a side (22) of the metal body (10) defines a core opening (18) exposing the hollow core (14);placing a filament (30) through the core opening (18) into the hollow core (14);closing the core opening (18) around the filament (30); andheating the metal body (10) so that the filament (30) disintegrates to form a filament hole (44) sufficient to allow gas within the hollow core (14) to escape through the filament hole (44).
- A method of manufacturing a metal bicycle crank arm comprising the steps of:forming a crank arm body (10) having a hollow core (14), wherein a side (22) of the crank arm body (10) defines a core opening (18) exposing the hollow core (14);placing a filament (30) through the core opening (18) into the hollow core (14);closing the core opening (18) around the filament (30); andheating the crank arm body (10) so that the filament (30) disintegrates to form a filament hole (44) sufficient to allow gas within the hollow core (14) to escape through the filament hole (44).
- The method according to claim 2 wherein the placing step comprises the step of placing a thread (30) through the core opening (18) into the hollow core (14).
- The method according to claim 3 wherein the placing step farther comprises the step of placing a thread (30) having a diameter of between approximately 0.4 millimeters and approximately 3.0 millimeters through the core opening (18) into the hollow core (14).
- The method according to claim 4 wherein the placing step farther comprises the step of placing a thread (30) having a diameter of approximately 1.0 millimeter through the core opening (18) into the hollow core (14).
- The method according to one of claims 3 to 5 wherein the placing step further comprises the step of placing a fibrous thread (30) through the core opening (18) into the hollow core (14).
- The method according to claim 6 wherein the placing step further comprises the step of placing a cotton thread (30) through the core opening (18) into the hollow core (14).
- The method according to one of claims 2 to 7 wherein the heating step comprises the step of heating the crank arm body (10) to a temperature above 200°C.
- The method according to claim 8 wherein the heating step comprises the step of heating the crank arm body (10) to a temperature between approximately 200°C and 800°C.
- The method according to claim 8 wherein the heating step comprises the step of heating the crank arm body (10) to a temperature above 500°C.
- The method according to claim 10 wherein the heating step comprises the step of heating the crank arm body (10) to a temperature of approximately 530°C.
- The method according to one of claims 2 to 11 further comprising the step of placing the crank arm body (10) in a liquid (50) after the heating step.
- The method according to claim 12 wherein the step of placing the crank arm body (10) in a liquid (50) comprises the step of placing the crank arm body (10) in water.
- The method according to one of claims 2 to 13 wherein the step of forming the crank arm body (10) comprises the step of forming an aluminum alloy crank arm body (10).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/239,924 US6178631B1 (en) | 1999-01-28 | 1999-01-28 | Method of heating and quenching a hollow metal member |
US239924 | 1999-01-28 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1023956A1 true EP1023956A1 (en) | 2000-08-02 |
EP1023956B1 EP1023956B1 (en) | 2003-05-21 |
Family
ID=22904337
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP00101769A Expired - Lifetime EP1023956B1 (en) | 1999-01-28 | 2000-01-28 | Method of heating and quenching a hollow metal member |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6178631B1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1023956B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP3555753B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60002763T2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6508002B1 (en) * | 2000-11-22 | 2003-01-21 | Douglas Chiang | Bicycle crank arm and method of making same |
US7181823B2 (en) * | 2003-09-09 | 2007-02-27 | Jie Dong Zeng | Method for manufacturing integrated bicycle crank arm and spider assembly and the crank arm and spider assembly made thereby |
US9303517B2 (en) * | 2012-06-15 | 2016-04-05 | General Electric Company | Channel marker and related methods |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2628417A (en) * | 1949-01-31 | 1953-02-17 | Saint Gobain | Method of preparing perforate bodies |
JPS61137634A (en) * | 1984-12-07 | 1986-06-25 | Sugino Techno:Kk | Crank for bicycle and its production |
JPS63144827A (en) * | 1986-12-06 | 1988-06-17 | Masahiro Tokuyama | Manufacture of flanged hollow shaft |
Family Cites Families (21)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1644157A (en) * | 1926-11-15 | 1927-10-04 | Elmer H Smith | Method of making torch tips |
AT279998B (en) * | 1967-05-09 | 1970-03-25 | Rohde & Doerrenberg | Process for manufacturing twist drills or similar tools as well as twist drills manufactured according to the process |
US3613766A (en) * | 1969-01-15 | 1971-10-19 | Fansteel Inc | Method of manufacturing weld tip guide |
US3576065A (en) * | 1969-03-24 | 1971-04-27 | Chromalloy American Corp | Repair of apertured machine components |
US3591915A (en) * | 1969-05-12 | 1971-07-13 | Brunswick Corp | Method of making orifice structure |
US4020543A (en) * | 1975-06-26 | 1977-05-03 | Sola Basic Industries, Inc. | Two-piece capillary tip bonding tool |
DE2623702C3 (en) * | 1976-05-26 | 1980-08-07 | Agfa-Gevaert Ag, 5090 Leverkusen | Developing device for photographic supports |
US4203257A (en) * | 1977-05-31 | 1980-05-20 | Hughes Aircraft Company | Printed circuit board hole cleaner |
DE2736124C3 (en) * | 1977-08-11 | 1981-11-12 | Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm GmbH, 8000 München | Method and winding tool for producing a loop-shaped power transmission element made of fiber composite material that is open at the ends |
US4297139A (en) * | 1979-03-26 | 1981-10-27 | Corning Glass Works | Inorganic gels and ceramic papers, films, fibers, boards, and coatings made therefrom |
US4509543A (en) * | 1983-09-12 | 1985-04-09 | Beta Technology, Inc. | Industrial dishwasher monitor/controller with speech capability |
US4586226A (en) * | 1983-09-30 | 1986-05-06 | Rockwell International Corporation | Method for fabricating a small-orifice fuel injector |
US4734307A (en) * | 1984-12-14 | 1988-03-29 | Phillips Petroleum Company | Compositions with adhesion promotor and method for production of flocked articles |
US5010785A (en) * | 1990-06-11 | 1991-04-30 | Seattle Bike Supply | Crank arm for a bicylce |
US5226379A (en) * | 1990-08-20 | 1993-07-13 | Everett Sharon L | Process for edging openwork fabric and product produced thereby |
US5197353A (en) * | 1991-07-31 | 1993-03-30 | John Trenerry | Crank and spider assembly for bicycle |
US5179873A (en) * | 1991-09-09 | 1993-01-19 | Ocean State International, Inc. | Bicycle crank assembly |
US5426997A (en) * | 1993-06-28 | 1995-06-27 | Brion; Donald G. | Bicycle chain drive assembly |
US5435869A (en) * | 1993-08-27 | 1995-07-25 | Christensen; Roland | Method for manufacturing a composite crank arm |
US5623856A (en) * | 1995-05-31 | 1997-04-29 | Durham; Roger O. | Bicycle crank arm with internal flange |
US5791202A (en) * | 1995-12-27 | 1998-08-11 | Karsdon; Jeffrey | Tetrahelical/curved bicycle crank-arm connecting rod for human/mechanical powered machines and the like |
-
1999
- 1999-01-28 US US09/239,924 patent/US6178631B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2000
- 2000-01-25 JP JP2000015598A patent/JP3555753B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-01-28 DE DE60002763T patent/DE60002763T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-01-28 EP EP00101769A patent/EP1023956B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2628417A (en) * | 1949-01-31 | 1953-02-17 | Saint Gobain | Method of preparing perforate bodies |
JPS61137634A (en) * | 1984-12-07 | 1986-06-25 | Sugino Techno:Kk | Crank for bicycle and its production |
JPS63144827A (en) * | 1986-12-06 | 1988-06-17 | Masahiro Tokuyama | Manufacture of flanged hollow shaft |
Non-Patent Citations (2)
Title |
---|
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 010, no. 333 (M - 534) 12 November 1986 (1986-11-12) * |
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 012, no. 400 (M - 756) 24 October 1988 (1988-10-24) * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP3555753B2 (en) | 2004-08-18 |
US6178631B1 (en) | 2001-01-30 |
DE60002763D1 (en) | 2003-06-26 |
JP2000219185A (en) | 2000-08-08 |
DE60002763T2 (en) | 2004-02-12 |
EP1023956B1 (en) | 2003-05-21 |
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